Students learn soil science in the field

Emily McFadden '25 has always wanted a career in agriculture and the environment. When she toured Cornell as a high school student, she sat in on a soil science course (PLSCS 2600) taught by Jonathan Russell-Anelli, senior lecturer and senior extension associate in the School of Integrative Plant Science's Soil and Crop Sciences Section.

"Because of this class, I pursued a soils minor - it definitely made me a little bit of a nerd for soil types," said McFadden, a plant sciences major. "The lecture is very important and gives you context, but what you're doing in the field and in the lab is really hands-on and you wouldn't be able to wrap your head around everything you learn in class without getting your hands into the soil in the fields. I think CALS across the board does a great job with giving us opportunities to get out of the classroom and into the labs and farms."

Read the full story in the CALS Newsroom.